Address: 1011 Camelback Drive, Newport Beach
Telephone: (949) 644-1999
Denomination: Reform Congregation but with traditional services.
Year established: 1973
Service times: Friday at 8 p.m. except on the first Friday of the
month, when a family service is held instead at 6 p.m. Bar and bat
mitzvahs are Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Monday Shabbat inner program at 6:15
a.m. Tot Shabbat program at 8 p.m. on the third Friday of each month.
Rabbi: Mark S. Miller
Cantor: Jonathan Grant. Grant is the only cantor in Orange County
ordained from the Hebrew Union College.
Size of congregation: 600 families
Makeup of congregation: Mostly families with children still in the
home and singles. Members come from Orange County's coastal communities,
Irvine and Mission Viejo.
Child care: Provided at all services and family activities.
Type of worship: Traditional. Services include prayers, singing and a
teaching. There is a lot of Hebrew in the service, but prayer and song
books are in Hebrew and English, and it is easy for anyone unfamiliar
with Hebrew to follow. The junior choir, under direction of Grant,
provides music at the family service on the first Friday of the month.
Type of sermon: Miller's teachings are generally based on the portion
of Torah designated for the week, though at times he addresses a current
issue in view of the wisdom of Torah. At the family service, on the first
Friday of each month, his teaching is more of a story and accessible to
the children.
Welcome wagon: Visitors receive an informative pamphlet about Temple
Bat Yahm and its opportunities for worship, education and friendship.
Miller calls visitors following their visit.
Programs: Shabbat and worship services and celebrations for High Holy
Days and other special holidays. Temple Bat Yahm's Sisterhood provides
events and services for the temple and the community at large. Small
groups, called "chavurah," provide friendship to families with ages,
children and interests in common. There are many educational programs for
children and adults, including Mommy and Me and preschool programs and
Religious School for older children. Temple Bat Yahm's yearly lecture
series features distinguished guest speakers, and Miller lectures
throughout the year on topics of Jewish content. Temple Bat Yahm
contributes to the community through food drives, blood drives, and many
various charitable walks, runs and benefits for social services and
causes.
Dress: Clothing should befit the time--Shabbat--and place, the
sanctuary, a holy place.
